Fox in the Penalty Area

"I think we've been missing the point."

Parotti was speaking to a room full of fellow coaches in his office.

“After Ramirez’s injury, we always looked for ways to make up for the defensive problems. In the previous three league games, it looked like we succeeded because we didn’t concede a single goal. But we made bigger mistakes. Mistake. That was the attack. We lost the ability to score goals. That's the biggest thing. So we conceded two goals against Ruhrlein and didn't score a goal."

Parotti looked around at the coaches in the room. Everyone was listening to him attentively, and many had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

He continued:

"Why can Ruhrlein score two goals against us? Because they can be unscrupulous when attacking. They know that our offense cannot threaten them, so they can naturally go all out when attacking. At the same time, they can also use Meng The fierce offensive suppressed us, leaving us exhausted in defense, let alone threatening them. This formed a vicious cycle."

When he said this, the coaches in the room began to nod frequently.

After combining what they observed on the sidelines of that game with the head coach's words, they all felt that what the head coach said made sense.

"The reason why Ramirez is the 'cornerstone of the championship' is because his outstanding role on defense can help us free up more energy to use on offense. We must admit that wanting to fill the functional vacancies left by him is It's very difficult. In the past four games, we changed four starting lineups, but the results were not good. Based on the existing players, it is impossible to replace him. Unless signings are made."

Parotti spread his hands:

"So why don't we change our thinking? Since the defensive loopholes are difficult to make up, then we simply don't make up for it. We have the sharpest knife on the planet, but use him as a shield. How stupid is it? So in the second round with Ruhr In the game coming to Yin, we will fight with them offensively.

"Anyway, the away goal advantage rule has been abolished in the Champions League. No matter how many goals they score at our home court, it doesn't matter. As long as we score two more goals than them in the end, we can drag the game into overtime. And with the lead Coming to the away Ruhrhein with a two-goal advantage, we must have never imagined that they would be dragged into overtime. So as long as the game enters overtime, their morale will inevitably be severely depressed, and then our hope of comeback will be lost. It will increase significantly!”

※※※

"The Madrid Pirates, who are back at home, have only one way to go, and that is to attack regardless. Facing their attack, all we have to do is to put up a tight fence in front of the goal to block their attack.

Then wait for an opportunity to counterattack. As long as we do a good job of defensive counterattack, the final victory will definitely belong to us. "

Assistant coach Moritz Riden's opinion was supported by almost all coaches, who nodded in agreement.

"Moritz is right. As long as we can hold on to the first half, after the second half, the Madrid Pirates players will become more impatient and make more mistakes. That's our chance to counterattack!"

"Yes, defense has the highest priority. If there is no better opportunity, we would rather give up the offense than disrupt our own defensive formation..."

"It doesn't matter if we never have a chance to counterattack. As long as we can withstand the Madrid Pirates' attack, even if we don't score a goal, we can still eliminate them. We have a two-goal lead!"

"You have to be patient no matter what during the game. Our players have psychological advantages and can play more calmly..."

Everyone felt that a conservative strategy should be adopted in the second round.

At this time, head coach LeRoyin Kuhn spoke: "No, I don't agree with defensive counterattacks."

When he said this, everyone turned their attention to him.

"Indeed, the Madrid Pirates only have one way to attack when they return home, so you can imagine how crazy their offense will be then. In this case, can you guarantee that we can defend it if we put the bus in front of the goal?"

After looking around, his eyes finally fell on assistant coach Moritz Riden.

Ryden knew that he had been named, but he was also very confident in his strategy, so he replied:

"Based on the performance of Madrid Pirates in recent games, I think even if they attack with all their strength, it will be difficult for them to score two goals against us. From the perspective of the personal status of the players and the tactical system, it does not support the sudden outstanding performance of Madrid Pirates' offense."

"What you said is too arbitrary, Moritz." Kuhn shook his head. "Don't you know they have Hu in their team? How many people has Hu slapped in the face before? In the Champions League semi-finals last season, when Becker completed the Champions League single-season scoring record at home, what did everyone think? Then Where's Hu? He scored three goals in six minutes. I know you're going to say Kyrie..."

He raised his hand to stop Redon from speaking.

"But we are different from those fans. We can't really think that Hu was made possible by Kaili, right?"

Everyone was silent.

In the silence of everyone, Kuhn continued:

"The Pirates' offense has indeed encountered problems, but I don't think they will continue like this. Hu has performed too many times in the past to prove that he is a player who can always create miracles, and if we ignore his biggest instability as a Pirate factors', then we will definitely be hit hard in the second round. So I think Hu’s personal factors must be taken into account, and it doesn’t matter how exaggerated it is, it’s all reasonable.”

When he said this, Kuhn's expression was very serious.

"The Madrid Pirates will definitely attack when they return home, and they will attack desperately. There is no doubt about this. Considering Hu's ability, I think blindly defending is not enough. On the contrary, we not only cannot blindly defend, but also actively Attack out. Even if we have to defend, we must use a high position to defend. We must not let them attack beyond our thirty-meter area."

"In this way, we may lose the ball more than when we defend and counterattack..." Ryden had some objections.

"Of course, but we also have a greater hope of scoring. They score a goal for us and we score a goal for them, so aren't we still ahead by two goals in total? And when we can threaten their goal with aggressive offense When the time comes, their offense will naturally be restrained. This is why we must insist on attacking. Even if it is purely from a defensive perspective, we should also be proactive in attacking."

Kuhn succeeded in convincing all the coaches.

Indeed, it would be more advantageous if Ruhrlein could score on the road. Moreover, their previous defensive counterattack strategy was also based on scoring goals.

In this way, the Ruhrlein coaching staff determined the next training arrangements-continue to focus on strengthening offensive drills to prepare for the away game against Madrid Pirates.

※※※

After returning home from training, Hu Lai saw Li Qingqing and before she could change her clothes, he excitedly said to her: "We have been practicing offense all day long today!"

Li Qingqing smiled and said: "That's good, I just thought of you."

"Furthermore, Parotti also said that whether we are playing against Ruhrlein or Turias, we must insist on putting offense first. No matter what situation we encounter, we must continue to attack. "Hu Lai said.

"This is different from the previous emphasis on defense in training. I feel that Parotti has figured it out - the captain is irreplaceable anyway, so don't replace him, just let go of the offense. To be honest, I heard him say this When I said that, I was still wondering if he called Clark overnight.”

"Call Clark overnight? Haha! You are so thoughtful!" Li Qingqing laughed.

"Because I think in the current situation, Clark would probably do this: 'What the hell, just attack! Attack! Attack! In addition to attacking, attack!'"

Hu Lai imitated the tone of Leeds City coach Tony Clark and waved.

"You learned quite well!" Li Qingqing gave him a thumbs up.

"That's Clark's personal disciple!" Hu Lai was not humble at all.

Seeing him like this, Li Qingqing asked: "Is it because the head coach's choice makes you more confident now?"

"Yeah." Hu Lai put away his previous joking expression and nodded. "I was really worried that I was the only one who thought that way. If the coach's tactical arrangements didn't cooperate with me, then I wouldn't be able to do anything by myself. Now I'm not worried anymore."

Li Qingqing laughed: "Then you get me a ticket, and I will go to watch your performance live."

Hu Lai was stunned for a moment.

This was the first time that Li Qingqing asked him to go to watch a Pirates game.

"Why this expression?" Li Qingqing asked.

"Uh, there's something unexpected...Aren't you afraid of criticism?"

"The King has been eliminated in the Champions League, so what criticism can there be?" Li Qingqing said.

"Ah...yes!" Hu Lai tapped the palm of his hand.

The Kings of Madrid were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The Pirates and the Kings do not constitute a direct competition in the Champions League.

Even if Li Qingqing goes to watch the Pirates' game, she doesn't have to worry about anyone saying why she doesn't support the Kings...

So he nodded: "Okay, I'll give you a whole ticket!"

He is increasingly looking forward to the second round match against Ruhrlein.

Because that will be Li Qingqing's first time to watch his Champions League game live!